“A machinery maker in Shenzhen, where Huawei is based, threatened to confiscate Apple devices from employees and fire those who did not comply. Menpad, a Shenzhen-based tech company, said it would punish employees who buy Apple products. Finally, Shenzhen Yidaheng Technology said it would fine staffers who bought iPhones the equivalent amount of their device, while other companies threaten to withhold bonuses.”

Meanwhile, many Chinese businesses have offered employees subsidies if they buy Huawei handsets. “Several hundred” businesses across China are apparently carrying out similar programs.

Problems in China

This problem is something I wrote about recently in an article about how the Huawei arrest could wind up hurting Apple. At the very least, I’d expect this news to contribute to more concerns with Apple’s share price.

While targeting Apple may not make a whole lot of sense, its status as one of the American giants means that going after it is, in some ways, symbolic.